http://www.tourismthailand.org/images/ver03_home/sawasdee.gif

http://www.tatnews.org/images/happy.gif http://www.tourismthailand.org/images/ver03_home/head_tatnews02.gif


Just download of 2 promtional clips, released for Hong Kong region

Amazing and please enjoys krub

WMV-1 (http://www.amazingthailand.org.hk/movie/vcd003.wmv)

WMV-2 (http://www.amazingthailand.org.hk/movie/vcd005.wmv)

BEAUTIFULTHAILAND

http://www.concierge.com/images/cntraveler/lists/readerschoice04/readerschoice_hed2.gif


http://www.tatnews.org/others/images/traveler100.jpg

This year, the Top 100 travel experiences in the world earn the highest scores in the 17-year history of the Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards. According to Condé Nast Traveler, throughout the 2004 Readers' Choice Awards, “scores have risen enough to merit additional lists in most categories.”

POLL CATEGORIES
Top Cities
Top Islands
Top Hotels
Top Transportation
Top Resorts

Every year since 1988, a select sample of Condé Nast Traveler readers have taken the Readers' Choice Survey. In 2004, approximately 241,000 subscribers received the questionnaire: 137,000 were sent by mail, with each subscriber getting one of several partial, 16-page editions of the survey; and 104,000 subscribers were invited to a secure Web site that contained the complete 84-page questionnaire. The final tabulations of 20,167 responses were undertaken by Mediamark Research, Inc., of New York City.



Top 5 Asian Cities

1. Bangkok 84.3
2. Hong Kong 79.4
3. Singapore 78.6
4. Chiang Mai, Thailand 74.9
5. Shanghai 71.7


TOP ISLANDS
Islands were evaluated based on the following criteria:
Scenery, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants, Activities

TOP 10 ASIAN/INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
1. Bali 86.4
2. PHUKET 82.6
3. Maldives 81.1
4. Seychelles 80.2
5. Koh Samui 79.4
6. Mauritius 74.9
7. Cebu, Philippines 72.8
7. Zanzibar 72.8
9. Borneo 69.5
10. Lombok, Indonesia 67.8


TOP HOTELS
Hotels were evaluated based on the following criteria:
Rooms, Service, Food/Dining, Location, Overall Design

Asian hotels were highly competitive. The list of top hotels in Asia in 2004 is double the size of last year's list and is led by The Peninsula, Bangkok.

HOTELS IN THAILAND AMONG THE TOP 50 ASIAN HOTELS
1. THE PENINSULA, BANGKOK 95.9
2. The Peninsula, Hong Kong 95.5
3. The Fullerton, Singapore 94.2
4. FOUR SEASONS, BANGKOK 93.8
5. THE ORIENTAL, BANGKOK 93.3
6. Raffles The Plaza, Singapore 92.2
6. Shangri-La, Bangkok 92.2
8. Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai 92.0
8. Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 92.0
10. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia 91.6
17. BANYAN TREE, BANGKOK 89.1
30. ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON, BANGKOK 85.0
46. DUSIT THANI, BANGKOK 80.3
47. GRAND HYATT ERAWAN, BANGKOK 80.2
48. THE SUKHOTHAI, BANGKOK 80.0

For details, please click to view
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/lists/readerschoice04/tophotels/

http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/images/topbar.jpg


JIRUNG HEALTH RESORT
http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/north/images/bh004_1.jpg

PHU CHAISAI RESORT & SPA
http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/north/images/bh002_1.jpg
http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/north/images/bh002_3.jpg

ANANTARA RESORT & SPA GOLDEN TRIANGLE
http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/north/images/bh001_2.jpg


THATON RIVERVIEW RESORT http://www.unseenparadise.com/50hotel/north/images/bh005_4.jpg

thanks for the news man!!!
These are my wondering!
1. Is Chiang mai really this famous among tourists??? I'm amazed this city could go this far!
2. Is Bali really better than Phuket? anyone ever been there can you tell me why?
Its beaches really better than here? I thought phuket already best of the best on earth! :)

Phuket became too famous which spoiled the paradise feel for a lot of people. Soon Bali will suffer from the same fate and Phuket will be top again :)

Chiang mai is the second biggest city that in capture with richness of the cultural and natural s' amazing feature all in hand

Especially in the scope of Golden Triangle and tribe, familiar to all over the world's tourist, are chasing too :)

Revealed: Thailand tourism marketing plan
Jul 25, 05 | 1:34 pm


The eagerly-awaited Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) marketing briefing for the fiscal year 2005-2006 was held here at the SOFITEL Central Plaza Hotel on July 18.

Unveiled were the following products for the marketing action plan 2005-2006:

- Thai-ness and culture, especially religion and its practice
- Shopping in centers, such as Bangkok, Hat Yai, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai
- New beaches in Koh Chang, Koh Samui, and along the Andaman Sea
- Niche markets, such as diving, golf, women, youth, and health tourism
- Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) as a single destination, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
Emphasis will also be given to food, shopping items, and soft adventure tours.

TAT officials pointed out that the nature of travel should be supported on all fronts to use the current strategies to position Thailand as a tourist destination through familiarization trips, hard sales/soft sales, trade fairs, advertising and campaigns geared to attract tourists in the low seasons. The increasing cost of living should be a point of awareness and will influence the inflation rate.

Mrs. Juthimas Siriwan, governor of TAT, via a video presentation heighlighted the ongoing “Happiness on Earth” campaign. She also emphasized the importance of the niche markets and announced the official target of 15 million tourist arrivals for the year 2006.

To reach this ambitious target, the main markets of Japan, China and South Korea will be tapped, and charter flights into the newly-built Suvarnabhumi International Airport will he introduced in recognition of Australia and New Zealand as new markets.

The revival of the European market will depend on the post-tsunami situation in Phuket and the status of Thailand as “Gateway to Indochina,” the TAT governor said.

She also mentioned that Eastern Europe and Russia are new markets to focus on, and that the Middle East has the potential to become the crossroads of the world to connect to emerging markets in Africa. Putting the important market of North America aside, Mrs. Siriwan said there are also emerging markets in South America to tap in to.

Mrs. Juthimas also unveiled the “Grand Invitation” campaign for 2006 to celebrate the 60-year (1946-2006) reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. There will be 60 mega-events throughout the year to invite tourists from all over the world to come to Thailand. The five faces of Thailand-- north, northeast, east, central and south-- will guarantee all the happiness on earth, the governor said.

By Reinhard Hohler
BANGKOK, Thailand (eTurboNews)

Thailand to Maintain Tourism Capital of Asia
Jul 21, 05 | 10:23 am


The arrivals targets for 2006 are 15.12 million international visitors and 79.33 million domestic trips, with those sectors generating estimated tourism revenues of 533 billion baht (12.7 billion in U.S. dollars) and 380 billion baht (9 billion in U.S. dollars) respectively.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is to stay on course to position Thailand as the “Tourism Capital of Asia” under its marketing plan for 2006 by maintaining its focus on the three pillars of Quality Products, Sustainability and Competitiveness.

The arrivals targets for 2006 are 15.12 million international visitors and 79.33 million domestic trips, with those sectors generating estimated tourism revenues of 533 billion baht ($12.7 billion U.S.) and 380 billion baht ($9 billion U.S.) respectively.

Says Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs Juthamas Siriwan, “Although we have felt the after-effects of the December 26, 2004 tsunami crisis in the first half of 2005, we are confident that with appropriate marketing strategies and the strong support of the Thai government, we will be able to turn the situation around in the not too distant future.”

TAT officials from around the world met last week in Bangkok for their annual marketing meeting and consultations with the private sector. This time, a new format was adopted that allowed for one-on-one discussions between the TAT officials and private sector executives.

According to Mrs Juthamas, for both the overseas and domestic markets, TAT will focus on five distinct categories of tourist attractions: beaches, cities and historical sites, natural sites, cultural sites and special interest.

The main tourism promotion and marketing theme for 2006 will be ‘Thailand Happiness on Earth’ highlighting the traditional hospitality of Thai people and the kingdom’s unique cultural, historical, natural heritage.

Said Mrs Juthamas, “We want to ensure that all visitors feel at home and want to visit Thailand again in the future, whether for business, pleasure or organising a MICE event. We also want them to recommend Thailand to their friends, relatives and colleagues.”

She noted that despite occasional unforeseen circumstances, the global travel industry remained buoyant.
Markets targeted for intensive TAT promotions are mainly in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and East Asia region: China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These markets are now the dominant generators of volume visitors for Thailand.

Short-haul markets where people are travelling for shorter periods but more often include Malaysia and Singapore.

Emerging markets that will get an extra marketing push include Russia, Ukraine, the CIS Group, India, Middle East and Africa.

In addition, a number of new tourism products and services have been identified to cater to the needs of specific market segments.

These include MICE and business travellers, high-income visitors, wellness & spa, ladies, long-stay visitors, young people, senior citizens, golf, diving, religion, family and honeymooners.

Other strategies will be designed to attract international visitors, to increase the frequency of travel and spread travel evenly through the year, especially during the Green Season.

As for the domestic marketing plans, Mrs Juthamas said the TAT will retain the marketing campaign slogan “There’s no place better than home”.

“We will undertake more activities to get visitors to spend more and increase the frequency of travel,” she said.

Phu chaisai is very attractive!

Phuket became too famous which spoiled the paradise feel for a lot of people. Soon Bali will suffer from the same fate and Phuket will be top again :)


Bali has more about culture to offer but I prefer the beach and islands around phuket though..

it is not better but it is different and also Phuket will recieve more vote if it could change its look from capital of sex to capital of paradise beaches

MP3

Welcome to Thailand (http://images3.fotop.net/albums3/kelvinliu/My_music/WelcometoThailand.mp3)

WITH ESTIMATED 15-M TOURIST ARRIVALS NEXT YEAR
Thailand to maintain ‘Tourism Capital of Asia’



BANGKOK, Thailand — The Tourism Authority of Thailand is to stay on course to position Thailand as the “Tourism Capital of Asia” under its marketing plan for 2006 by maintaining its focus on the three pillars of Quality Products, Sustainability and Competitiveness.

The arrivals targets for 2006 are 15.12 million international visitors and 79.33 million domestic trips, with those sectors generating estimated tourism revenues of 533 billion baht ($12.7 billion US) and 380 billion baht ($9 billion US) respectively.

Says Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, "Although we have felt the after-effects of the December 26, 2004 tsunami crisis in the first half of 2005, we are confident that with appropriate marketing strategies and the strong support of the Thai government, we will be able to turn the situation around in the not too distant future."

TAT officials from around the world met last week in Bangkok for their annual marketing meeting and consultations with the private sector. This time, a new format was adopted that allowed for one-on-one discussions between the TAT officials and private sector executives.

According to Mrs. Juthamas, for both the overseas and domestic markets, TAT will focus on five distinct categories of tourist attractions: beaches, cities and historical sites, natural sites, cultural sites and special interest.

The main tourism promotion and marketing theme for 2006 will be "Thailand Happiness on Earth" highlighting the traditional hospitality of Thai people and the kingdom’s unique cultural, historical, natural heritage.

Said Mrs. Juthamas, "We want to ensure that all visitors feel at home and want to visit Thailand again in the future, whether for business, pleasure or organising a MICE event. We also want them to recommend Thailand to their friends, relatives and colleagues."

She noted that despite occasional unforeseen circumstances, the global travel industry remained buoyant.

Markets targeted for intensive TAT promotions are mainly in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and East Asia region: China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These markets are now the dominant generators of volume visitors for Thailand.

Short-haul markets where people are travelling for shorter periods but more often include Malaysia and Singapore.

Emerging markets that will get an extra marketing push include Russia, Ukraine, the CIS Group, India, Middle East and Africa.

In addition, a number of new tourism products and services have been identified to cater to the needs of specific market segments.

These include MICE and business travellers, high-income visitors, wellness & spa, ladies, long-stay visitors, young people, senior citizens, golf, diving, religion, family and honeymooners.

Other strategies will be designed to attract international visitors, to increase the frequency of travel and spread travel evenly through the year, especially during the Green Season.

As for the domestic marketing plans, Mrs. Juthamas said the TAT will retain the marketing campaign slogan "There’s no place better than home."

"We will undertake more activities to get visitors to spend more and increase the frequency of travel," she said.

Floods hurt 'only slightly'

POST REPORTERS

The flash floods that put many people in the North in chest-deep water had little impact on the region's tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported yesterday.

Suraphon Svetasreni, a TAT deputy governor, said some guesthouses along the Ping River sustained serious damage, and had temporarily ceased business for repairs. But large hotels were generally unaffected or had floods on the ground floors of their buildings at most.

Mr Suraphon said he had heard of no trip cancellations by international tourists who were heading to the North. In any case, this is the low season in the region for foreign travellers. The high season begins in October.

Last weekend, most tourists in the North were Thai, and most of them checked out on Sunday as planned, as the long holiday weekend ended, said Mr Suraphon.

The TAT has instructed its overseas offices to tell international travel agents and tourists that all airports in the North remain in service, and the State Railway of Thailand has resumed normal train operations.

Tourism organisations said the serious flooding in the North would not affect tourism-related businesses in the long run.

Thai Hotels Association vice-president Prakit Chinamoraphong said his association had not yet quantified the flood-related damage to member hotel businesses in the North, but expected hotel operations in those flooded provinces to be back to normal by tomorrow.

''The water has been receding and hotel operators have been informing their customers that the situation is getting back to normal,'' Mr Prakit said.

Some hotel customers, flooded out at the height of the rising waters, cancelled their stays, said Mr Prakit. Reservations for Mice (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) activities at northern hotels early this week were postponed but none was cancelled, he said.

Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) president Anake Srishevachart said the effect of the floods was mild, compared with last year's tsunami in the South.

More importantly, everybody knows that floods recede in a few days. Such major flooding is rare, he said.

''It happened for the first time in 40 years or so, and I think it won't recur again, this year at least,'' said Mr Anake.

Mr Anake said his association anticipated some cancellations among next week's scheduled tour packages, but he believed most are aware that the situation would be back to normal by then.

Narong Tananuwat, president of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, said the flood could cost 1.5 billion baht in Chiang Mai alone. Floodwaters affected 5,000 households, 300 small factories and a number of hotels along Chang Klan Road. He said that damages would have only a minor effect on the overall economy, which has a GDP of about 94 billion baht.

Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, chief executive officer of Asia Plus Securities, was more cautious. He said it was too early to evaluate the economic impact from the flood. He predicted a psychological fallout, added to the overall depression over the economy and rising oil prices.

The General Insurance Association said the insurance loss caused by the flash flood in the North had yet to be estimated.

Two state banks, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives and the Government Housing Bank were considering whether to issue relief for clients.

Beauty pageant planned to revive tourism on Thailand's tsunami-hit beaches

BANGKOK, Thailand -- An international beauty pageant is being organized to help bring back tourists to beaches in Thailand struck by last year's tsunami, organizers said Monday.

Contestants from 41 nations are to vie for the beauty crown next month at a still undecided location in southern Thailand, where the giant waves hit popular beach resorts and stunted a thriving tourism industry.

Beach Queen Thailand 2005 is being organized by the government's Tourism Authority of Thailand, national airline Thai Airways and Event Asia, a private enterprise, to "show the world that tourist resorts and beaches in Phuket and other places in southern Thailand are still beautiful and safe to visit," said Umdomsak Achawararangkul, of Event Asia.

Umdomsak said the contest will be staged at beach locations and on yachts Sept. 23-28.

Nearly 5,400 Thais and foreign tourists were killed and another 2,800 are still listed as missing from the disaster that struck Phuket, located 690 kilometers south of Bangkok, and nearby areas on Dec. 26, 2004.

Thailand has since launched major efforts to bring back tourists, especially for the upcoming high season that begins in November. (AP)

August 22, 2005

Beauitful Thailand

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view1.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view2.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view3.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view4.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view5.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view6.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a227/kbobp/view7.jpg

Breath-taking!

Thailand’s new tourism minister determined about meeting tourism targets
Aug 24, 05 | 10:42 am


As part of its plans to revive southwest resorts damaged by devastating tsunami late last year, Thailand’s new tourism and sports minister, Pracha Maleenont, has announced that the country has marked a budget worth US$36 million for promotion of tourism.

Prior to appointment of Maleenont, which came earlier this month, the portfolio was being handled by Somsak Thepsutin.

The new minister said that reviving business to Phuket and South Thailand remains the top priority.

According to local media, the government gave the Tourism Authority an additional US$61 million, last month to help the industry, which accounted for 6.4 percent of the economy in 2004.

The minister said that Thailand still hoped to meet record tourist targets this year in spite of the consequences of the high oil prices, Thai economic slowdown, the situation in southern Thailand and the lingering impact of the tsunami.

As per the information available, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to sustain its efforts to target of 13.38 million international visitors and 76 million domestic trips for 2005, and target revenue earnings would also remain unchanged at US$11 billion or 450 billion baht from international markets and 347 billion baht from domestic tourism.

In a separate development, construction of a 1,000-ton concrete Buddha image, termed as the largest of its kind in the world in the local media, has started high on the Nakkerd Hills between Karon and Chalong. The Buddha will be 45 meters high and 25 meters wide. It is being said that it will be the biggest meditating, or Pang Manravichai, Buddha image in the world, scheduled to be completed in the next three years.

By Satish G.

NEW DELHI, India (eTurboNews)

ททท.เตรียมจัดเที่ยวบินตรง จากปักกิ่ง เซี่ยงไฮ้ มาลงสนามบินภูเก็ต พร้อมเจรจาขอบริษัทการท่าอากาศยาน ขอลดค่าแลนด์ดิ้ง 50% หวังดึงนักท่องเที่ยวจีนเข้าประเทศ

นางจุฑามาศ ศิริวรรณ ผู้ว่าการการท่องเที่ยวแห่งประเทศไทย (ททท.) เปิดเผยภายหลังการพบปะหารือกับกลุ่มนักธุรกิจด้านการท่องเที่ยวจากประเทศจีน ว่า ทางคณะนักธุรกิจ จากประเทศจีน ได้ตอบรับ ว่าจะนำนักท่องเที่ยวจีน เข้ามาประเทศไทยในช่วงปลายปีนี้ พร้อมกับมีแนวคิดในการจัดทำแผนการตลาดร่วมกัน

โดยขณะนี้นักท่องเที่ยวจีน และ บริษัทนำเที่ยว เริ่มจะเชื่อมั่นประเทศไทยมากขึ้น และยอมที่จะตัดสินใจมาเที่ยว เพราะที่ผ่านมา รัฐบาลไทย ได้แสดงให้เห็นถึงความตั้งใจที่จะดูแลนักท่องเที่ยวจีนไม่ให้ถูกหลอกลวง ขณะเดียวกัน แหล่งท่องเที่ยว ที่เสียหายจากภัยสึนามิ ก็เริ่มเข้าสู่สภาพปกติ การติดตั้งระบบเตือนภัย ส่งผลให้ นักท่องเที่ยวยิ่งเกิดความเชื่อมั่นและรู้สึกปลอดภัย ในระดับที่ดีขึ้น

นอกจากนั้นเพื่ออำนวยความสะดวกให้กับนักท่องเที่ยวจีน ททท.มีแนวคิด ที่จะขอความช่วยเหลือจากสายการบินอื่นๆ และ การบินไทย ให้จัดเที่ยวบิน ตรง จาก ปักกิ่ง และเซี่ยงไฮ้ มาลงที่สนามบินภูเก็ต และจะเจรจากับบริษัทท่าอากาศยานไทย เพื่อขอลดค่าแลนด์ดิ้ง 50% ให้กับสายการบิน ที่นำผู้โดยสารมาให้ เป็นการช่วยกระตุ้นจำนวนนักท่องเที่ยว และ สนองตอบนโยบายรัฐที่ต้องการดึงนักท่องเที่ยวจีนเข้าไทย

ทางด้านนายกัว ดงเจี๋ย รองประธาน บริษัท ไชน่า คอมพอร์ท แทรเวล จำกัด ซึ่งเป็นบริษัทนำเที่ยว ที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในจีน เปิดเผยว่า จากที่ได้ลงพื้นที่ จ.ภูเก็ต กระบี่ พังงา พบว่า มีระบบการจัดการที่ดีพื้นที่สะอาด มีระบบรักษาความปลอดภัยที่ดี ทั้งหมดที่กล่าวมา ตนจะนำไปช่วยประชาสัมพันธ์ ให้กับนักท่องเที่ยวคนจีน เพื่อให้เลือกเดินทางเข้ามาประเทศไทย นอกจากนั้น ยังยินดีที่จะร่วมมือกับประเทศไทย ที่จะกำจัดทัวร์ศูนย์เหรียญให้หมดสิ้นไป โดยเรื่องนี้ รัฐมนตรีท่องเที่ยวของกรุงปักกิ่ง ได้ให้ความสำคัญ และพร้อมที่จะสนับสนุนนักท่องเที่ยวจีน ให้เข้ามาที่ประเทศไทย โดยเฉพาะการท่องเที่ยวในลักษณะเชื่อมโยง กันในระหว่างเส้นทางท่องเที่ยวกับประเทศอื่นในภูมิภาคนี้

อย่างไรก็ตาม รายงานข่าวแจ้งว่า จำนวนนักท่องเที่ยว ที่เดินทางเข้ามาที่ด่านสนามบินดอนเมือง ล่าสุดระหว่างวันที่ 1-15 สิงหาคม 48 มีจำนวนทั้งสิ้น 405,090 คน เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน 7.51% ขณะที่ตัวเลขรวมครึ่งปีแรก มีจำนวน 4,631,294 คน เพิ่มขึ้น 2.13%

ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ 25/05/48

Bangkok, Thailand, August 19, 2005 – Mr. Pracha Maleenont has been appointed the new Minister of Tourism and Sports following the latest Cabinet reshuffle in early August 2005.

In his first policy statement, he pledged to revive the tourism industry in the six southern Andaman provinces and undertake campaigns to boost visitor arrivals to Thailand. “Reviving business to Phuket and South Thailand remains our top priority.” Mr. Pracha said.

The 58-year-old son of the founder of Thai TV Channel 3, a popular local TV station, graduated from Elmhurst College U.S.A, and has been in politics since 1996.

He said he will closely follow the implementation of the Andaman tourism recovery strategy as approved by the Thai cabinet on 10 May 2005.

This will involve designing and rebuilding beaches to their natural state, enhancing safety and security, building confidence among international travellers, and designing special packages and special fares to provide incentives and opportunities for domestic and international travellers to start travelling again.

All the revival projects at the major beaches of Patong and Kamala in Phuket are targetted for completion by November 2005.

He urged the international tourism industry to strongly support South Thailand as the people there have been affected by the December 2004 tsunami and need to re-establish their livelihood.

“By holidaying in South Thailand, visitors can help the local economic recovery as well as ensure jobs and income,” Mr. Pracha said.

He said TAT will continue to make every effort to achieve the target of 13.38 million international visitors and 76 million domestic trips for 2005 in spite of the consequences of the high oil prices, Thai economic slowdown, the situation in Southern Thailand and the lingering impact of the tsunami.

The target revenue earnings would also remain unchanged at 450 billion baht from international markets and 347 billion baht from domestic tourism.

In order to achieve these targets, the Cabinet has approved an additional 1,500 million baht budget of which 800 million baht is to be spent on marketing and promotions in key potential markets including China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and 600 million baht on boosting domestic tourism.

The remaining 100 million baht will be spent on establishing a new tourist channel as a joint venture between TAT and the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand, about which detailed discussions are now under way.

Part of the overseas marketing budget will be used to subsidise charter flights to bring tourists directly to South Thailand.

At the same time, the government will promote other beach destinations like Hua
Hin, Cha-am, Samui, Chumphon all of which are on the Gulf of Thailand with more than enough tourist infrastructure and hotel supply.

The Minister said efforts would be made to boost the attraction of the Thailand
Privilege Card by attracting more private sector investment in it.

The Royal Thai Government will also pay attention to promoting Chiang Mai as the tourism hub of Northern Thailand by stressing new products like the Chiang Mai Night Safari and giving them wider exposure through public relations activities.

Another significant policy will be to position Thailand as the film-making capital of Asia by making it more convenient for interested film-makers from abroad to both shoot their films and documentaries here and do post-production work.

The Minister said the government would reduce the bureaucratic procedures that
foreign film-makers have to follow in getting permission to film in Thailand.

Bangkok to S Africa route
Published on September 17, 2005

Gulf Air plans to spread its wings to South Africa by adding a new route from Bangkok to Johannesburg three times a week to serve 6,500 passengers a year.

Danny Barranger, the airline’s vice president for marketing and sales, said the airline would start the route in October, using a refurbished Airbus A330. The new service will go through Bahrain.

Johannesburg is one of six cities targeted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as part of its efforts to attract tourists.

Gulf Air is jointly owned by Bahrain, Oman and Abu Dhabi, where it has enjoyed 40-per-cent growth in passenger numbers.

Barranger said the carrier hoped to increase its passenger numbers on the new route to 7,000 in the second year of operations. The expansion follows the recent announcement of a new service between Bangkok and Dublin.

The airline hopes to attract business travellers, as Thailand is South Africa’s third-largest Asean trading partner.

The TAT said its tourism marketing strategy was focused on six markets – the United States, Australia, Britain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

Barranger said the airline had spent Bt400 million refurbishing its A330 aircraft, which will give passengers wider seats and more privacy.

The airline serves more than 125,000 passengers via Bangkok and generates revenue of Bt1.5 billion. It is currently implementing a fuel surcharge of US$13 (Bt532) per sector from Bangkok to Hong Kong, and $18 per sector from Bangkok to Bahrain.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation

New Five Star Hotel to open 1 December 2005 in Pattaya
29 November 2005

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/newspics/0511/GardenCliffResortPattaya.jpg


The Garden Cliff Resort & Spa Pattaya (managed by Sofitel) is to open on 1 December 2005.
The Garden Cliff Resort & Spa Pattaya (managed by Sofitel) is to open on 1 December 2005.

To celebrate its opening, the hotel is offering a promotional rate of 4,000 baht (US$97) ++ a night double occupancy in a Deluxe Sea view Room including breakfast until 31 March, 2006 (peak season surcharge applies from 24 Dec 2005 to 10 Jan 06).

The low-rise, 249 room Garden Cliff Resort & Spa is is located on North Pattaya’s secluded Crescent Moon Beach, tucked into the quite residential area away from the city center and main entertainment areas. The hotel is next to the famous ‘Sanctuary of Truth’, Thailand’s largest hand carved wooden temple noted for its fusion of art and religion.
Room at the Garden Cliff Resort Pattaya

The luxury resort features six restaurants and bars including Sea Breeze lobby lounge, The Cliff all day dining, Chom Talay Thai cuisine and seafood restaurant, Bentos Beach Club, Alizees Pool Bar and D’licious, a French-style patisserie and deli. The resort also has two multi-tiered infinity swimming pools with easy ‘slip in’ access from many ground floor rooms, and in early 2006 will open one of Pattaya’s largest and most luxurious spa and fitness complexes.

Pattaya is fast becoming a prefered MICE destination for companies based in Bangkok or on Thailand’s busy eastern seaboard. The hotel ballroom can accommodate up to 420 people theatre-style supported by five fully equipped meeting rooms.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/newspics/0511/GradenCliffResortPattayaRoom.jpg

16 April 2006
Tourism Authority of Thailand will celebrate the inauguration of www.acmecdestination.com

http://www.acmecsdestination.com/Admin/upload_img/center_imgAll.jpg